2026 WCQ Playoffs: Eric Chelle outlines key improvements as Nigeria tackle DR Congo

By Wale Mustapha

Ahead of Nigeria’s final playoff match against DR Congo on Sunday, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has emphasized the need for his team to elevate their performance to secure victory and qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Super Eagles made a commanding statement in the semifinals on Thursday, defeating Gabon 4-1 at the Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex in Rabat. However, Chelle was quick to acknowledge that while his side displayed some strong moments, there were also areas that required improvement ahead of the crucial final.

“We did a lot of good things against Gabon, but we also made some mistakes,” Chelle said in a media briefing on Saturday. “We have to correct those errors before the final against DR Congo. We can’t afford to repeat them.”

Chelle, who has been instrumental in Nigeria’s resurgence since taking over as head coach, remains confident in his squad’s abilities, but he stressed that the Super Eagles must raise their standards to meet the challenges posed by DR Congo.

“We are facing a very tough opponent in DR Congo, and we must be at our best,” Chelle added.

“I have faith in my players and their ability to correct the issues we saw in the Gabon match. It’s in them to get this done perfectly, and I’m confident they won’t let Nigerians down.”

The Leopards of DR Congo secured their spot in the final after a narrow 1-0 victory over Cameroon, and Chelle has stresses the need for his team to respect their opponents while making the necessary adjustments to secure the win.

“The final will be a different game entirely,” Chelle noted.

“DR Congo has shown they are a formidable team, and we must be ready for whatever they bring. We have to stay focused, disciplined, and clinical in our approach.”

As Nigeria prepares for the decisive match, the Super Eagles know that a victory over DR Congo will secure their place in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

Chelle’s tactical awareness and confidence in his players will be crucial as they seek to avoid any slip-ups and claim a long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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